How to Clean a Beautyblender With 3 Easy Hacks

You likely reach for it on the daily to get that flawless-looking foundation. What's more, it's a beauty tool that certainly doesn't cost that much. If you think about how often you use it, and the fact that it actually does speed up the application process, it's not only a steal but a serious time-saver. Yep, we're talking about the game-changing Beautyblender.

But the essential makeup gadget does come with one downfall. The sponge's pores tend to soak up and harbor lots of old makeup, oils, and other dirt and bacteria, which can lead to breakouts. Technically you should clean it after every use, but if you can't find the time to rinse it every day, try to give it a good wash at least once a week.

Luckily, only a few steps are needed to thoroughly clean your sponge. In fact, there are three simple, foolproof methods that don't require lots of products. All you need is a good soap, which you probably already have in your bathroom, and when you really want to really zap away the bacteria, a microwave, the latter of which blew up on Twitter last year. Users all over the world were trying out (and tweeting about) the microwave hack—with mostly positive outcomes. Vogue Australia reported on this beauty craze, too.

You can use either a bar of soap (which is a bit harsher on the sponge) or a gentler liquid cleanser, like baby shampoo, for this.

If you're using the first option, simply rub the Beautyblender against the bar until it foams. If you prefer the latter, squirt a small amount directly onto the sponge, gently massaging it in your hand to build up a lather.